In Maharashtra, All Shops Can Stay Open 24 Hours Except Liquor Stores, Bars and Hookah Parlors
Mumbai, October 1 – The Maharashtra government has clarified that all shops and commercial establishments in the state can remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, provided employees are granted a mandatory 24-hour weekly holiday.
The clarification came in response to complaints that local authorities and police were creating hurdles for businesses wishing to operate round the clock. Officials emphasized that only liquor shops are barred from 24×7 operations.
The government cited the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017, which regulates the working conditions, hours, and holidays for employees across establishments in the state.
With this move, businesses such as restaurants, cafes, retail stores, and service outlets will now have the freedom to function without time restrictions, giving a major boost to commercial activity in urban centers like Mumbai, Pune, and other cities.
